British Rail refurbished the 1920s series stock to extend its life but by 1987 it became clear that it would not last long into the 1990s. Some London Underground 1938 tube stock was actually available from 1973 and five 7 car units been refurbished by LT to extend their life. It was anticipated that 1959/62 series stock would not be available before 1992-93, far too long for Network SouthEast to wait. In April 1988 LT offered to sell NSE four 7 cars units plus a further stripped unit and two body shells as spares. Financial authority to purchase the stock was gained in October 1988 but some work had already begun with stock "on loan" . Stock was formed into 2 car motor-motor units at Strawberry Hill and hauled to Eastleigh for conversion. The original plan was to have eight 2 car units, subsequently increased to nine, and not to operate more than three units in multiple.

The first converted 1938 series stock arrived on the island on 5th July 1989, there was a ceremony to launch the "new" (circa 50 year old) stock at Ryde Pier Head on 13th July 1988 but it did not enter regular service until the autumn.

On 12th September 1998 members of the Southern E-Group visited the Isle of Wight Steam Railway using public transport. On their journey back to the mainland they caught unit 007 (plus another unidentified unit) from Smallbrook Junction - by now the connection for the IoWSR - to Ryde Pier Head.

The above are video captures from Hi-Band 8 by Colin Duff

Returning to the location featuring in all three glimpses in time, 005 plus another unidentified unit, are at Ryde Esplanade about to enter the tunnel to Ryde St. John's Road, date unknown.

photograph from the SEG Sales Collection

Note from these photographs that the 2 car units are formed as A and D car pairs.

007 plus another unidentified unit is departing Ryde St. John's Road for Shanklin, date unknown.

photograph from the SEG Sales Collection

005 plus another unidentified unit on a down service approaching Sandown, date unknown.

photograph from the SEG Sales Collection